“Most people know intuitively that when you fall in love, the world is full of magic. What they don’t know is that when you discover the universe is full of magic, you fall in love with the world.”

–Phyllis Curott

I’m working on an idea for a new story involving a witchy main character, and have been down the rabbit hole of modern witchcraft. There’s been an upsurge of interest in both Wicca and traditional witchcraft since the pandemic, so capitalism being what it is, there’s a lot of content out there. The problem is that most of it is marketed to beginners in search of basic spells and rituals rather than writers like me. It’s difficult to find things that the things to a deeper level but Witch Crafting by Phyllis Curott fills the bill. Curott’s powerful follow-up to her bestselling memoir Book of Shadows is both a practical guide and a spiritual manifesto. It definitely appealed to me as someone looking to understand what Wiccans and other witches believe from a research point of view, and I’m sure it would be useful to those seeking information from a spiritual perspective.

In Book of Shadows, Curott focussed on her transformation from New York City attorney to Wiccan High Priestess. Her personal story helped dismantle harmful stereotypes about Wicca, revealing it as a spiritual path rooted in Goddess worship and reverence for Nature. With Witch Crafting, she builds on that foundation, offering not just the “how-to” of witchcraft, but the reasons behind the different elements and practices.

What sets Witch Crafting apart, aside from the quality of the writing, is its focus on personal empowerment, spiritual exploration, and ethical practice. Curott encourages readers to develop their own relationship with magic and the divine, rather than following instructions blindly. She draws from both traditional and personal shamanic practices to develop a fresh, inclusive framework. Her redefinition of magic and her thoughtful critique of the often-invoked Threefold Law (which claims that any energy especially negativity, will return to the sender three times) are interesting and challenging.

This is not just a book about Wicca. Although Curott is a High Priestess, she uses her own practice as an example rather than a prescription. This inclusivity makes Witch Crafting especially interesting for or anyone looking to create a personalized spiritual path. She does describe several complex ceremonies, but does so in a grounded, accessible way while making their religious importance clear. Curott writes with clarity and wisdom, teaching methods of self-development that can be useful to spiritual seekers of any background.

I came away from this book with a much deeper understanding of what Wiccans believe, along with more curiosity about the means they use to connect with the Universe.  In a sea of books that promise to tell you how to get your ex back or win a lottery, this one might help you discover real magic.